Athena Jade Gossett: A question for Robert, on not so happy a note. What are some ways you process the death of a friend, particularly a fellow musician whom you admired? I’m going through a loss of that kind currently, a young saxophonist, and she was taken from us far too soon. This made me think of your Facebook posts in the wake of Mr Bill’s passing in 2020.
RF:
1. Accept your grieving. Help, support and consolation may appear in surprising ways.
2. Allow time. Grieving is a process and unfolds in stages. At each stage a deepening understanding becomes available.
3. Send Friend good wishes. Know for a certainty that, wherever Friend is, your good wishes will reach them.
4. Express your gratitude for the life of Friend. Even, by singing and dancing.
5. Keep going, knowing a little more strongly that we are all moving towards our death.
My condolences.
